Seed mixing machine



Feb. 20, 1934. F. w, GERSTANDT SEED MIXING MACHINE lnvenlor 27 98 W @enF/arrd? Filed Sept. 8, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 20, 1934.

F. W. GERSTANDT SEED MIXING MACHINE Filed Sept/.78, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F ,4/ .9 A I Z/ 22 Z L i I Z w I Inventor Feb. 20, 1934. F. w GERSTANDT 1,948,231

SEED MIXING MAC-HINE in Flled Sept. 8. 1952 3 Sheetsheet 3 Inventor F92 7/ ersPkMf [5 if mm Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved machine or apparatus expressly constructed and designed for conditioning and treating various kinds and species of seeds by a process of me- '3 chanical mixing and agitation destined to pre vent destruction of seed from parasites and disease.

Admittedly, the broad idea of dusting and coating of seed is not new. Therefore, what I have invented is an improved structure which is believed to be more satisfactory and systematically practical in accomplishing the desired conditioning and mixing results in an expeditious and dependable manner.

Briefly stated, I am able to accomplish the aforesaid objects and aims through the use of a simple and economical structure characterized by a revoluble receiver, co-operating with a properly placed hopper wherein said hopper and receiver are supported on a durable stand or support, and wherein said support also serves to accommodate individual selectively usable containers for dispensing a liquid and a dusting powder in predetermined quantities into the hopper.

Other and more specific structural details and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a structural assembly developed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in section and elevation detailing the specific construction and arrangement of the revoluble mixing device or receiver.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section taken approximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the liquid dispensing container.

Figure 5 is a detail section on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 4 showing the dusting powder measuring and dispensing container.

Figure '7 is a detail cross section taken on the plane of the line '77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of an interchangeable closing lid for the receiver used for liquid draining purposes.

Before introducing the detailed description of the invention depicted in the drawings. I wish to enlighten the reader to the extent of mentionina' that the invention herein shown and described is primarily referred to as a seed" mixer. It is understood, however, that the invention may well be used for mixing other granular materials, including grains, as well as for treating and mixing vegetables, suchas for example potatoes.

It is therefore understood that although the invention appears to be primarily confined to its adaptation as a seed mixer, it has other uses.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Figure 1, it will be observed that the numeral 9 designates a stand which is in the form of an appropriate frame-work including uprights 10 having opposed hearings to accommodate a rotary shaft 11. The shaft is formed at one end with an extension 12 carrying a handcrank 13 to facilitate rotation of the shaft.

Rigidly attached to the shaft for rotation therewith is the bulbous-shaped receiver 14. This shape is preferred in that it reduces the presence of obstructions on the interior in which grain and dust would otherwise settle to interfere with the efficient operation of the device. Incidentally, this device 14 may be re- 30 ferred to either as a receiver, an agitating mixer, or the like.

As shown in Figure '2, it is closed at its bottom and open at its top, at which end there is an outwardly flared flange 15 defining a seat as for reception of the bevelled marginal edge of the removable closing lid 16. This lid is of disclike configuration and provided with a central recessed lug 17 to accommodate a pivoted latch 18 held down through the agency of a fixed keeper 19. This lid 16 is of solid form and is sometimes replaced by the apertured lid 16a shown in Figure 8. The last-named lid is also formed with a retaining lug 17a. As before pointed out, this apertured lid is for draining liquid from the receiver 14 when it is moved to an inverted liquid discharging position.

It will be noticed from Figure 2 that the shaft is provided with fixedly attached agitating fingers 20 properly located and shaped, which fingers co-operate with arcuate blades or baflle elements 21 mounted on the interior of the wall of the receiver. This arrangement of agitating elements 20 and 21 serve to intimately agitate and mix the seed located in said receiver.

The numeral 22 designates a properly proportioned suitably shaped fixedly attached hopper carried by the stand and of general panshaped form having its conical bottom provided with a centrally located discharge neck 23 adapt-.- 110 ed to be alined with the intake opening in the top of the receiver 14. As shown in Figure 4', this neck is grooved to accommodate a slide valve plate 24 to regulate the discharge of seeds by gravity into the receiver 14.

Attached by appropriate fixtures or brackets 25 to the hopper in closely associated relationship are individually usable containers 26 and 27. The container 26 is adapted to hold and dispense an appropriate liquid for treating the seed in the hopper. This container is of appropriate capacity and generally contains about one gallon of liquid, is of cylindrical form and has a conical bottom 28, a removable closing lid 29, and a suitable graduated gauge 30.

Moreoven as shown in Figure 4, it is provided with a suitably shaped discharge nozzle or pipe 31 equipped with a shut-01f and regulating valve 32. The nozzle is located to discharge the liquid into the hopper.

The container 27 is adapted to hold powder of an appropriate kind for dusting the grain to guard against deterioration by smut. As seen in Figure 6, it is provided with a removable cover or lid 33 and a conical bottom 34 having a discharge spout 35. This spout is provided with inner and outer slide valve plates 36 and 37 defining a measuring or trapping chamber or pocket as at 38 which allows the powder to gravitate into the pocket 38 when the valve 36 is open in order to measure the quantity eventually dispensed into the hopper.

In practice, I sometimes provide a removable box or collection receptacle 39 as shown for example'in Figure 1. Moreover, it is desirable to provide the intake end of the receiver 14 with two or more hooks 40 to accommodate removable sacks or bags for trapping the treated material. The box 39 may well be used when bags are not employed, whereby to promote cleanliness and convenience of handling the seed.

Particularly do I wish to emphasize the provision of an {appropriate stand or support equipped with a rotary crank or power driven shaft for revolving the barrel shaped receiver 14 carried by said shaft. It is important that the receiver 14 be internally provided with suitable co-acting agitating fingers or elements properly arranged for effective agitation and mixing in order to properly coat the seed with the prep aration made from the liquid and dusting powder. By so treating the seed, they are less likely to become infected with disease such as smut.

The provision of the outwardly flared flange 15 defining an intake neck as well as a seat for the bevelled edge closing lid 16 and the retaining means for said lid is important. Moreover, the use of a solid lid for mixing purposes and an apertured lid 16a for draining purposes, when the receiver 14 is inverted is likewise important. The provision of a properly positioned hopper with a valve plate located for conveniently discharging the seeds into the receiver 14 is a feature of distinction. Then too, the provision of the individual selectively usable and valve equipped containers 26 and 27 is an added feature of advantage. In fact, all of the devices co-operate successfully in promoting expeditious and effective results.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A structure of the class described comprising a relatively stationary supporting stand having uprights provided with bearings, a shaft mounted for rotation in said bearings, a turning crank for said shaft, a substantially barrelshaped receiver attached to said shaft for rotation therewith, said receiver being provided with an open intake end, a removable closure for said intake end, a plurality of agitating elements attached to the wall of the receiver on the interior thereof, and a plurality of agitating fingers attached'to said shaft and co-operating with said elements.

2. A structure of the class described comprising a stationary support, a rotary shaft mounted on said support, a receptacle attached to said shaft for rotation therewith, said receptacle being provided with an intake opening at one end, a removable closure for said intake opening, said shaft having a pair of oppositely disposed diverging agitators secured thereon, another agitator disposed between the diverging agitators and secured to said shaft, and oppositely disposed arcuate shaped agitators fixed to the inner side of said receptacle.

FREDERICK WILLIAM GERSTANDT. 

